Posted: 11/29/2013 4:50:06 PM EDT
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Any recommendations for a compact field sharpener?
Is something like this worth trying? Or should I just go with a small stone? Thoughts? |
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Depending on length of blade you want to sharpen or what else you want to do I would look for something without a taper and perhaps a bit longer. There are carbide rods that you can clip in a shirt pocket like a pen and the rod is inside and protected until you pull it apart and reverse it. I have had one for a very long time, couple decades. I also have the credit card sized diamond stones. On smaller blades the blade moves. On a hatchet or ax or larger blade the diamond stone moves. It is just a metal plate with diamond dust glued to it and I have had them for a long while and they do very well. |
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Quoted:
Any recommendations for a compact field sharpener? Is something like this worth trying? Or should I just go with a small stone? Thoughts? I have one. It's not the best, but it's compact and easy to keep handy. |
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Quoted: Any recommendations for a compact field sharpener? Is something like this worth trying? Or should I just go with a small stone? Thoughts? At home, I have two or three of the same Smiths type only the big yellow handle with the scissors sharpener, and then a finishing stone and steel.
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Quoted:
IMO that is exactly the sharpener you should have in a field kit. Cheap, fast and effective. Is it the ideal way to get an edge? No, but it's a nearly idiot-proof way to get reasonably close with minimal hassle. This, I have a similar one just in case I need to put a semi decent edge on a blade after use in the field. I also strop it on the inside of my leather belt, believe it or not I will shave hairs on my arm after about 5-10 pass' on the ceramic and strop'ing. It's the yellow one that Smiths sell at Walmart in the out doors section. It's a little bigger but still ways next to nothing and has a nicer padded thingee to hold onto. https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50327-Deluxe-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B007Y15LEI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385931422&sr=8-2&keywords=Smith's+Knife+Sharpener%3A+Smith's+Deluxe+Knife+and+Hook+Sharpener |
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This, I have a similar one just in case I need to put a semi decent edge on a blade after use in the field. I also strop it on the inside of my leather belt, believe it or not I will shave hairs on my arm after about 5-10 pass' on the ceramic and strop'ing. It's the yellow one that Smiths sell at Walmart in the out doors section. It's a little bigger but still ways next to nothing and has a nicer padded thingee to hold onto. https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50327-Deluxe-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B007Y15LEI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385931422&sr=8-2&keywords=Smith's+Knife+Sharpener%3A+Smith's+Deluxe+Knife+and+Hook+Sharpener Quoted:
Quoted:
IMO that is exactly the sharpener you should have in a field kit. Cheap, fast and effective. Is it the ideal way to get an edge? No, but it's a nearly idiot-proof way to get reasonably close with minimal hassle. This, I have a similar one just in case I need to put a semi decent edge on a blade after use in the field. I also strop it on the inside of my leather belt, believe it or not I will shave hairs on my arm after about 5-10 pass' on the ceramic and strop'ing. It's the yellow one that Smiths sell at Walmart in the out doors section. It's a little bigger but still ways next to nothing and has a nicer padded thingee to hold onto. https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50327-Deluxe-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B007Y15LEI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385931422&sr=8-2&keywords=Smith's+Knife+Sharpener%3A+Smith's+Deluxe+Knife+and+Hook+Sharpener I have one similar to this for the kitchen, no hook sharpener though. I does put a good edge on our kitchen knives. If I ever get another pocket sharpener it will be like the one in the house. Not tacticool, it's yellow, but it does a good job. |
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I have one of the Smith PP1s. They're not bad for a pack or tool box sharpener.
Takes a little practice due to how short it is, but the diamond rod works just as well as a kitchen rod and about as fast. I actually like these better.................... Smith CCKS I bought one of those at Gander Mountain as an impulse buy and love the thing. Its a lot more hand friendly and sturdy. Tj |
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Quoted:
I have one of the Smith PP1s. They're not bad for a pack or tool box sharpener. Takes a little practice due to how short it is, but the diamond rod works just as well as a kitchen rod and about as fast. I actually like these better.................... Smith CCKS I bought one of those at Gander Mountain as an impulse buy and love the thing. Its a lot more hand friendly and sturdy. Tj TJ that's the same thing I have in my kitchen It's a pretty good sharpener. Not as cool looking as the other one, but works a lot better. |
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DC4
I'm thinking this is the way to go. Those "v" style sharpeners that you drag your blade though chew up too much metal. Not to mention you angle being fixed with a sharpener like that. |
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I just use any sharpening stone. In my GHB I carry a knock off lansky or EZE-lap type diamond rod... Works OK for a quick tune up and allows you to keep a scandi grind that a pull through sharpener wont.
Actually I think I have something similar to a Smiths Diamond retractable sharpener though it doesnt have the pointed side, just a flat and rounded single ended rod. Works good for what it is. Something like this, but I found the cheapest version I could... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pocket-Diamond-Sharpener-Rod-VERY-CONVENIENT-AND-HANDY-/180887426671?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1dbb166f 
Other then that I only use a variation of good olde fashioned stones! |
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TJ that's the same thing I have in my kitchen It's a pretty good sharpener. Not as cool looking as the other one, but works a lot better. Quoted:
Quoted:
I have one of the Smith PP1s. They're not bad for a pack or tool box sharpener. Takes a little practice due to how short it is, but the diamond rod works just as well as a kitchen rod and about as fast. I actually like these better.................... Smith CCKS I bought one of those at Gander Mountain as an impulse buy and love the thing. Its a lot more hand friendly and sturdy. Tj TJ that's the same thing I have in my kitchen It's a pretty good sharpener. Not as cool looking as the other one, but works a lot better. Yep, Its sure a surprising thing and that's coming from someone who was weened on Arkansas stones. I have about three now, one in the kitchen, one in my BOB, and one in my desk drawer for something to do between calls. All that from an initial impulse buy waiting on a background check to clear. 
Tj |
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Quoted:
Any recommendations for a compact field sharpener? Is something like this worth trying? Or should I just go with a small stone? Thoughts? I've got one of these and it works great in a pinch. Worth having IMO. |
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Any recommendations for a compact field sharpener? Is something like this worth trying? Or should I just go with a small stone? Thoughts? I have the Smiths and it is very handy, It lives in my GHB, and don't use it much. The Boker WS Guided Field Sharpener is a complete system but it is bulky WS Guided Field Sharpener. The DMT FWFC Double Sided Diafold Sharpener is really hard to beat! I use it at home and outdoors all the time. A perfect balance of size and quality. |
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I have one of these hanging from a strap on my machete.
It will get it shaving sharp after only a few swipes. It works great for an as, hatchet, or knife as well. |
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Quoted:
I have one of the Smith PP1s. They're not bad for a pack or tool box sharpener. Takes a little practice due to how short it is, but the diamond rod works just as well as a kitchen rod and about as fast. I actually like these better.................... Smith CCKS I bought one of those at Gander Mountain as an impulse buy and love the thing. Its a lot more hand friendly and sturdy. Tj I have one of those also and I like it too. |
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I have one and it works ok. but I would probably go with this instead (due to the ceramic bits).
http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50408-Pocket-Sharpener-Survival/dp/B00BY9G08W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1386136866&sr=8-10&keywords=smiths+knife+sharpener OR I much prefer the newer one that is yellow with whistle, led, button compass and small fire rod. WHile none of the tools will work as well as a dedicated tool it fits in a pouch on a knife sheath with room to spare. http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50408-Pocket-Sharpener-Survival/dp/B00BY9G08W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1386136866&sr=8-10&keywords=smiths+knife+sharpener Also, while bigger this one from smiths works as well as my old spyderco and is some what more compact. http://www.amazon.com/Smiths-50408-Pocket-Sharpener-Survival/dp/B00BY9G08W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1386136866&sr=8-10&keywords=smiths+knife+sharpener |
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Just bought that very one yesterday at Wally's for $ 4.98. I have the other one the OP listed, the PP1, that i keep in my GHB.....both are great for down and dirty field expedient sharpening.
Not something i would use on my Wusthoff knives, cuz the wife would not be happy....but gets the job done. The one TJ listed, i keep in my laptop bag for my work knife....and that one is good as well. Lots of good ideas on this thread. Thanks to all for the extra gift ideas..... |
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I just bought one of these and it should be here early next week. Not trying to be a Ray Mears fanboy or anything but he has but hundreds more hours into using gear than I have and that's what he uses. I've done my own research on the stone and have found very good reviews. I just want a stone that will last a long time and work well on high-end knives. My edges are hair shaving sharp with the sharpening wheel system i have at harm and I don't want to screw them up unless I have to. Sharpening in the field |
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Eze lap 530
http://www.amazon.com/Eze-Lap-Eze-Fold-Sharpener-Plastic-Handles/dp/B0090UW3BU The handles help keep your hands clear. It has diamond to cut and ceramic for a fine edge |
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I received the 3 sharpeners that I ordered and tested them on different knives I had that needed to be sharpened.
My quick impressions.... The two Smith sharpeners didn't work very well... I am not sure if this is due to the blades being on the thin side (they were all folding knives) or if it just a problem in general. They seem like they would work better on thicker blade stock. The V's just didn't line up well on a thin blade. The Work Sharp guided field sharpener worked quite well. It has two different grit diamond sharpeners, a ceramic stick, and a leather insert for "stropping". Just for kicks, I used all 4 beginning with the rough grit diamond and working my way up. I was pleasantly surprised with the results, and due to the design, the thinner blade didn't matter. HOWEVER, it is quite a lot bigger and heavier than I was expecting. It doesn't really seem like it would be a good choice for any sort of emergency kit (except maybe a car kit) and I don't think I would take it hiking. At this point, I think I am going to try the Smith sharpeners on some larger "outdoorsy" blades and see how they work. I have a couple of beaters that I don't mind re-profiling a little (if that does happen) I may edit this post with the results once I have a chance to try it out. We have been snowed in for a few days now, so I have been taking care of other things first
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